Greenhouse recommendations and pictures

[houstonscott]

I am very serous about a greenhouse and have looked for years. Can anyone make recommendations about what they bought. I want vegetables and fruit year round. Flowers too. Like to keep budget below $20k. The picture is my inspiration shot. Are there any greenhouse guys out there. Help me avoid mistakes before I jump in. HS.

 

[hunterridgefarm]

I have a 14x14 I use for starting seeding to transplant. I really like the style of greenhouse in your picture but it may be hard to put shade cloth on it in the summer with the finials on top.

I am currently looking at a larger greenhouse and a couple of high tunnels. There are tons of information on greenhouse styles and complete kits out there. Get all the catalogs sent to you and start comparing prices.

The glass house would last the longest ...as long as no one starts throwing rocks.

The UV plastic would hold up for several years and the fiberglass, polycarbonate would last longer.

Depends on the style you want hoop, Gothic, or the metal architectural type in your picture. It is very doable for under 20k, with heat, cooling fans etc.

 

[AchingBack]

I am very serous about a greenhouse and have looked for years. Can anyone make recommendations about what they bought. I want vegetables and fruit year round. Flowers too. Like to keep budget below $20k. The picture is my inspiration shot. Are there any greenhouse guys out there. Help me avoid mistakes before I jump in. HS.

Sure, it looks cool, but imagine the heat loss through all of the glass. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by using glass on the north side of the greenhouse. If heat loss isn't a problem, forget what I said.

I don't see any reason to spend 20k, or even 10k on a green house.

The most efficient design utilizes a solid, vertical, north wall; insulated with hay or straw bales, stacked on the outside wall. The west wall of the GH can also be solid. Only the east, and south walls need to admit sun rays. Build the floor about 3' lower than ground level. At such a depth, even in coldest temps. plant roots will not freeze. You should easily be able to build a rectangular GH for a couple of thousand dollars.

 

[corl]

Price depends on how big you want it and how fancy. The one in the picture is a fancy one, beautiful, but not sure how practical. Heating and cooling and controls add versatility and would be helpful for off season production. Where you are located and what you want to grow will be important factors in your choices. Are you a do-it-your-selfer or do you want a turn key product?

 

[corl]

Price depends on how big you want it and how fancy. The one in the picture is a fancy one, beautiful, but not sure how practical. Heating and cooling and controls add versatility and would be helpful for off season production. Where you are located and what you want to grow will be important factors in your choices. Are you a do-it-your-selfer or do you want a turn key product?

 

[RalphVa]

Most of the big ones around here are just light weight circular pipe with a double layer of plastic covering.

It's too easy to get too much heat. You likely won't need much glass/plastic area in Texas. Biggest problem may be getting rid of heat via fans or top vents.

Often thought about doing a greenhouse but have never done these. Thoughts above are from my visits to some and mini courses on them. I've an ideal location behind the house in an indent around my pool wall between the pool and house. All I'd need is a roof and NE facing front.

Ralph

 

[dave1949]

HS check out these conservatories. I think a "conservatory" is any greenhouse that costs more. :laughing: Anyways, you may get some ideas.

Renaissance Conservatories | Advanced Building Products, Inc.

 

[Stimw]

I built this one a few years ago for under $100.
I tried using it during the winter and early spring.
The problem was over night the outside temps would be in the 30's. During the day in the greenhouse it would be 130* !!!
If you don't have temp control they are useless.

 

[houstonscott]

HS check out these conservatories. I think a "conservatory" is any greenhouse that costs more. :laughing: Anyways, you may get some ideas. Renaissance Conservatories | Advanced Building Products, Inc.

got to love those, don't think I can get in under budget for those, if I win lottery Saturday its done deal. Conservatory over greenhouse. Where I am protection from insects is big, and yes dumping heat and air circulation is going to have to be a part, maybe even a mist system during summer. I did look at shading systems that are interior, but building site protected some by large oaks. I have choice and from what I have observed here most are shaded from the setting west sun. Make no mistake the greenhouse will be a major or central part of the landscape and add value to the property. There is a little self sufficient stuff there too. HS

 

[houstonscott]

I built this one a few years ago for under $100. I tried using it during the winter and early spring. The problem was over night the outside temps would be in the 30's. During the day in the greenhouse it would be 130* !!! If you don't have temp control they are useless.

Did you grow directly in the ground? HS